Opinions & Interviews

State-run mass media present proposals before Belarus president

MINSK, 11 February (BelTA) – Heads of the largest state-run mass media presented a number of proposals before Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko on 11 February. The proposals included, for instance, the creation of a news channel like Euronews and the construction of a media center, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I know your problems. You identified them a long time ago. Including ideas concerning the creation of a media rating agency, a media center, the creation of a mobile channel like Euronews and other ones to deliver news very briefly and understandably (nevertheless, they have analytics as well). People are too busy to watch summarizing broadcasts like those BT or STV do in the evening… People want to see key information during the day.”

The president admitted he often gets distracted from long stories and reads the news ticker instead. “This is why we need in essence condensed, brief information accompanied by some footage. I know all of it and understand it. I was the one to initiate it,” he added.

The head of state made it clear that no spare cash is available. It is necessary to decide what needs to be done first: to upgrade filming equipment, offer competitive salaries, or build a media center. “We need everything. But priorities should be put in order. I want you to keep it in mind,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Taking part in the meeting were Chairman of the National State Television and Radio Company Ivan Eismont, Chairman of the Board of the Second National TV Channel (the ONT TV channel) Marat Markov, Director General of the STV TV channel Igor Lutsky, Director General of the news agency BelTA Irina Akulovich, Director – Editor-in-Chief of the publishing house Belarus Segodnya Dmitry Zhuk, Director – Editor-in-Chief of the publishing house Zvyazda Pavel Sukhorukov, Director of the National Branch (representative office) of the Interstate Television and Radio Company Mir Vladimir Pertsov.

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